B&Q's £9 giant paddling pool will keep your kids entertained for hours in the sun – and will last for years to come
Brits have been enjoying glorious sunny summer weather in recent weeks.
2
B&Q selling giant inflatable paddling pool for incredible price
And to this end, B&Q are selling a sizeable inflatable paddling pool for just £9.99.
Known as the "TP Giant Inflatable Paddling Pool", the product is available solely to buy online.
Its description reads: "A Giant Paddling Pool from TP Toys.
"Cool down the family in style this summer with the ultimate jumbo paddling pool.
"Featuring a comfy headrest and viewing window and even includes a repair kit to ensure your garden pool will last for years to come."
Parents rave about another paddling pool option
Elsewhere, parents were raving about an Amazon paddling pool that inflates in two minutes.
The budget-friendly pool had been slashed in price and is now just £8.99.
Reduced from £34.99, that's an incredible 74% off.
Families raced to get their hands on the Bestway 6ft inflatable pool, which is great for smaller gardens.
Better yet, the pool is easy to set up and can be ready for water in just 10 minutes.
The clever way you can ensure your paddling pool is kept warm
With an average rating of 4.2 stars out of five on Amazon, it's clear families have been loving the pool too.
One said: "I love how easy this is to set up and deflate. It does take a while to fill but that's due to the capacity of the pool
"It's easy to get in and out of. I will say is when you lean on the side you will lose water."
"Great, cheap pool. Massive and only need to blow up 1 ring," another wrote.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
25 minutes ago
- Metro
Eurostar-style train to directly connect UK with Berlin and two more cities
Whether it's buzzing nightlife, an inclusive LGBTQ+ scene, historical sites or just a really good Currywurst, Berlin arguably has everything you'd need from a city break. And now, if you're looking for a greener way to travel to the German capital, plans for a direct train from London have been announced – and it could significantly chop journey times. Last week, Keir Starmer signed a 'first of its kind' treaty with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which, as well as strengthening the relationship between the UK and Germany, also plans to establish a direct route between the capital and three German cities. Building the Eurostar-style links between London, Frankfurt and Cologne will be first on the list, while Berlin will be the final stop added across the roughly decade-long plan. At the moment, those looking to travel between the two cities need to take a Eurostar train from St Pancras to Bruxelles-Midi, changing for a service to Cologne and, finally, to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. While there are undoubtedly stunning views along the way, it takes between 10 and 11 hours door-to-door. Frankfurt isn't much better, as it can take up to nine hours, though it's hoped that the new route will shorten this to around five. This isn't the first time officials have looked at establishing a direct route between London and Frankfurt. In 2010, Deutsche Bahn tried (and failed) with proposals for the Inter City Express, but it shelved the plans after it encountered a mass of red tape and complications, including differences in train voltage, crossing borders and even tunnels. While we don't have any specifics right now, the plans have the potential to change how millions of people travel between the UK and Germany, with an estimated 3,200,000 Brits having visited in 2023. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said that the government is 'determined to put Britain at the heart of a better-connected continent,' describing it as a 'landmark agreement.' 'A new task force will bring our nations closer together and create new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange, building on a landmark deal we signed earlier this year to explore introducing direct services to Switzerland,' she added. And, as well as improving the transport links between the two, it's hoped that the London-Berlin line will support the economy in creating jobs and strengthen existing trade links, both of which are 'central' to the UK's 'Plan for Change.' Need inspiration on how to fill your time once your train arrives? Berlin is famous for its nightlife scene – but be warned, the Berghain is notoriously difficult to get into. Rumour has it that if you wear all-black, your chances of getting in are higher. If you don't manage to charm the bouncers, though, there's also the famous KitKat, a hedonistic sex club complete with a swimming pool and countless sex swings, or more PC options available at SchwuZ and Sisyphos. If you do go out on a Friday, though, you could end up partying until Monday, as the famous Berlin clubbing mantra goes. First opening its doors in 1985, the Schwules Museum (AKA, the Gay Museum) has long been a mainstay for documenting LGBTQ+ life. Found in one of the city's historic queer neighbourhoods, Regenbogenkiez is known as the Rainbow District, and has been a hub for LGBTQ+ Berliners since the 1910s. Writer Christopher Isherwood famously moved to Berlin in 1929, and local theatre Metropol (formerly the Neues Schauspielhaus) was a favourite haunt of his. Later transformed into the club, throughout the 1980s it was frequented by the likes of Depeche Mode, Morrissey, and the Human League. When it comes to foodie spots, if you're after a life-changing Currywurst, you'll be sure to find it at Konnopke's Imbiß, which started off as a sausage cart and later went on to serve East Berlin's first Currywurst in 1960. And of course, Burgermeister is known for its mouthwatering menu. If you want our recommendation, it has to be the chilli-cheeseburger. History buffs will be well acquainted with Checkpoint Charlie, a central crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin throughout the Cold War that famously appeared in multiple spy films, including James Bond's Octopussy and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. While the final crossing between the two divided cities was made in June 1990, these days it's possible to visit the original booth that stood there at the Allied Museum. A photograph of a US soldier towers above the site, and there's more information on display at the Mauer (which means wall in German) Museum, as well as the Trabi Museum and Cold War BlackBox. More Trending Housed inside the former home of the East German secret police, the Stasi Museum displays the various objects used by the Stasi to control the residents of the DDR, including bugs, hidden cameras, and propaganda. A hugely emotive experience, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe documents the horror of the Nazi regime. The granite network is comprised of 2,711 concrete slabs measuring 19,000 square metres, with each stone remembering the 6,000,000 Jewish people who were murdered during the Holocaust. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Our Travel Editors' picks of underrated destinations in the easyJet summer 2026 sale MORE: Fans slam 'atrocious' immersive Elvis Presley show with tickets up to £300 MORE: I stayed in one of Europe's grandest hotels — a time warp of Old World glamour
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Minister insists fuel supplies not under threat despite oil refinery closure
An energy minister has insisted fuel supplies will not be under threat after no buyer was found for one of Britain's largest oil refineries. State Oil – the parent company of Prax Group, which owns the Lindsey refinery in North Lincolnshire – collapsed into administration last month, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Michael Shanks pledged to support the workers who are facing redundancy, but said there is little action the Government can take to improve the statutory redundancy offer. Speaking in the Commons, he said: 'We have worked urgently to ensure the safety of the refinery site, the security of fuel supplies and to protect workers. 'This has also allowed time for bidders to express an interest in the site. 'Following a thorough process, the official receiver has rigorously assessed all the bids received and concluded that sale of the business as a whole is not a credible option.' He added: 'A package has been offered to all those directly employed at the refinery, which guarantees their jobs and pay over the coming months. 'And alongside the usual support that is offered to workforces in insolvency situations, the Government will also immediately fund a comprehensive training guarantee for those refinery workers to ensure they have the skills needed and the support to find jobs, for example, in the growing clean energy workforce.' The Lindsey site is one of only five large oil refineries remaining in the UK after the recent closure of the Grangemouth plant in Scotland. Prax Group is led by majority owner and chairman and chief executive Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai, who bought the Lindsey oil refinery from French firm Total in 2021. Shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie, who tabled the urgent question, claimed 625 jobs are at risk as he pressed the minister for an update on its investigation into the collapse of the company. He also asked: 'What, if any, assessment has been made into the UK's resilience given the steep reduction in our refining capacity over the past six months? 'What, if any, assessment has been made on the increased reliance on imports that will be necessary as a result of the reduction in British refining capacity?' Mr Shanks said fuel supplies had 'adjusted' in the past few weeks, adding: 'Our assessment suggests there isn't an immediate risk to fuel supplies locally or in the wider area, but we'll continue to monitor that.' On the investigation, he said: 'There is not much I can update the House on at the moment, because the insolvency service is carrying out that investigation.' Conservative MP Martin Vickers, whose Brigg and Immingham constituency includes the oil refinery, said he wanted to see 'the maximum support given to those workers'. Mr Shanks replied: 'We have looked and pushed and pushed to see if there is more action Government can take to change or to give any additional payments. 'It's not possible for Government to do that, not least because the insolvency service has to follow very specific rules in terms of creditors and what their parameters are to operate in the event of an insolvency. 'But I do think the owners of this company have profited from this business, and they should do the right thing by the workforce that delivered that for them.'
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
How to boost your pension pot now if you have no savings at all
Warnings that millions of people are heading for a retirement crisis due to a shortfall in pension savings are nothing new, but a new government review aims to tackle the issue to prevent a 'tsunami of pensioner poverty'. It's estimated that a single person will need more than £14,000 for every year of retirement, while a couple will need £22,000 to maintain a minimum level of lifestyle. It sounds a lot, but it is achievable without the need to immediately start stuffing thousands of pounds a month into an account. But how do you get there if you haven't already started saving? Check employer contributions If you're already in work, the first thing you should do is check if your employer pays the minimum three per cent of your salary or higher – some may well offer to match your own contributions, but this might only happen if you opt to pay more. For example, if you're paying in five per cent, your employer could raise their contributions by an additional two per cent, and it won't cost you anything extra or remove anything from your pay packet. Do remember to ask if it means you change pension plan, provider or anything else though, to make sure it suits your needs. Focus on building an emergency savings buffer Next, it's time to get that money in place so you don't need to worry about unexpected bills or costs. Experts say you should ideally have between three and six months' worth of expenses in an easy-access account paying a good level of interest, to cope with things such as the loss of a job, higher-than-expected living expenses or a major outlay for repairs or purchases. Again, if you're just starting out, it's important to forget the eventual size of the pension pot and focus on the first steps. If you are starting with nothing, open a new savings account and start to pay money in weekly or monthly, whichever helps you stay on track best. The consistency of seeing it grow will help you get used to building a savings buffer, and it doesn't matter if that begins with £5, £20 or whatever else you can initially afford. Cut expenses if you need to; one pint of beer fewer a week is about £6-8 (depending where you live), which could add to your savings, and one unused subscription cancelled is a monthly boost of even more than that. Regularity and time will see you hit your goals. And, if you are really in need of a quick boost to your savings, you can consider changing banks. Several will offer over £150 in cash or bring other perks to your account if you switch your current account. Check here for details, and always ensure you choose a bank or building society right for your needs, not just which offers the most immediate funds. Pensions contributions are no different The same process can see you boost your pension pot once you've got a chunk of savings you're happy with – plus, if you're putting money into a personal pension, you'll get tax relief too. For example, if you're a basic rate taxpayer and you put £80 into a pension pot, the government will add £20. Again, it seems small, but do that monthly over a 40-year work career and it's an extra £9,600 being put to work for your future. 'Putting your money away in a pension is a good place to start, rather than a standard savings or investing account. You get the perk of government tax relief on the money and this will significantly boost your pot over time, particularly as you benefit from investment returns on your own money,' said Laura Suter, director of personal finance at AJ Bell. 'The money will be locked up until your pension age, which is currently 57. It means that you can't dip into the cash if you needed it in the short term, so you need to bear that in mind, but it also means that you can't be tempted to dip into it before retirement. Even small contributions each month can add up. Putting away £100 a month, which then gets topped up to £125 a month after tax relief, would be worth almost £52,000 after 20 years, assuming 5 per cent investment growth a year after charges.' What if you earn more but have no pension? Pension concerns are far from limited to those with low earnings. There are plenty of reports, for example, of NHS staff – who would typically get a large employer contribution – opting out of that pension plan to receive a larger immediate salary because the cost of living is so high. If so, trying to take advantage before any possible rule changes might be wise. If you're a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer – with income over £50,270 this tax year – then making use of the extra tax relief can provide a huge boost to your retirement pot. There, instead of the aforementioned 20 per cent relief, you can get 40 or 45 per cent (whichever tax band you are in). The government will contribute at the basic tax rate, as your pension provider will claim it for you, and then you are able to claim the additional amounts by noting your pension contribution when you complete a self-assessment form for the tax year. It has been suggested that such relief may change in future, which makes it important to utilise existing allowances, says Reme Holland, a financial planning partner at accountancy firm Albert Goodman. 'My top advice would be to act now while we know the available allowances and reliefs,' he said. 'For an additional rate taxpayer, you can receive 45 per cent tax relief on your pension contributions, there is the ability to use the last three years of unused allowances via a mechanism known as carry forward. If a flat rate of tax relief is introduced, that could make it far more expensive to fund pension contributions in the future.'
